Thermal transfer method and system for blended fabrics and related blended fabric and items

ABSTRACT

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics and related system, blended fabric and items comprising the blended fabric are described. The thermal transfer method comprises: printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with a digital printer to obtain the thermal transfer paper having the pattern; mixing one or more epoxy resins, with one or more polyamine and solvent to prepare a pretreatment liquid; immersing a blended fabric in the pretreatment liquid, then being subject to pressing and drying to obtain a treated blended fabric; attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric, and then performing a thermal pressure treatment of the thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN 2022106466014 filed on Jun. 9, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of transfer printing, and in particular to a thermal transfer method and system for blended fabric and related blended fabric and items comprising the blended fabric.

BACKGROUND

A blended fabric contains both synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, acrylic fiber) and natural fibers (e.g., cotton, linen, silk, viscose), and thus it not only has the stiffness and quick-drying property of synthetic fibers, but also has the moisture-wicking property and skin adaptability of natural fibers. However, since the physical and chemical properties of the synthetic fiber and the natural fiber are quite different, the types of dyes and dyeing processes required for dyeing are quite different, the dyeing process is more complicated and the process is longer.

Despite attempts to improve the existing process, developing a simple and low-cost thermal transfer method which results in good color distribution, color fastness, color brilliance as well as a quality of the work product, remains challenging.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are a thermal transfer method and system for a blended fabric containing synthetic fibers and natural fibers, and related fabric and fabric items as will be understood by a skilled person upon reading of the present disclosure.

According to a first aspect, methods and systems of the present disclosure provide thermal transfer of a suitable dye to a blended fabric containing synthetic fibers and natural fibers by contacting the blended fabric with a pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid mainly comprises two effective components: epoxy resin (for example, bisphenol A type epoxy resin, bisphenol F type epoxy resin emulsion) containing a benzene ring and a hydroxyl and polyamine (for example, polyetheramine, 1,6-hexanediamine). The benzene ring groups in the two components can adsorb the dispersed dye on the fabric by virtue of van der Waals adsorption, and ether bonds in the two components can render the blended fabric softer and better skin feeling. The thermal transfer system of the present disclosure comprises at least one pretreatment liquid herein described in combination with at least one of a dye, a thermal transfer paper, and a blended fabric.

According to a second aspect a blended fabric is described prepared by the thermal transfer method and/or system for blended fabrics according to any one of the embodiments herein described.

According to a third aspect, a fabric item is described comprising a blended fabric obtained with the method and/or system of the disclosure. In particular, a fabric item can be a clothing item as will be understood by a skilled person.

The thermal transfer methods and herein described and related systems, fabric and fabric items herein described provides a low-cost process resulting in a fabric that is softer at the touch and more comfortable to wear than fabrics made from existing methods using plastisol print or pigment digital print.

The thermal transfer methods herein described and related systems, fabric and fabric items, in several embodiments can reduce difficult and/or uneven coloring in the blended fabric. In particular, in some embodiments, the thermal transfer methods herein described and related systems, fabric and fabric items can reduce and even minimize quality problems including gray and dull coloring of the printed fabric, incomplete transfer pattern (with flaws) characterizing existing thermal transfer methods as will be understood by a skilled person.

The thermal transfer methods and herein described and related systems, fabric and fabric items herein described complicated preparation, can also provide a faster transfer of the dye also involving lower cost compared with existing methods as will be understood by a skilled person upon reading of the present disclosure.

The thermal transfer methods and herein described and related systems, fabric and fabric items herein described can be used in connection with applications wherein coloration of textile material is desired without limiting to a particular industry. An ordinary skilled person in the art.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description and the examples, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 2.

FIG. 3 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 3.

FIG. 4 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 4.

FIG. 5 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 5.

FIG. 6 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in the First Comparative Example (Example 6).

FIG. 7 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in the Second Comparative Example (Example 7).

FIG. 8 shows a physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in the Third Comparative Example (Example 8).

FIG. 9 shows a performance comparison diagram of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in Examples 1-5 and the First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8).

FIGS. 10A and 10B show schematic representations of exemplary articles of clothing with blended fabric prepared with a method and/or system of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are a thermal transfer method and system for a blended fabric containing synthetic fibers and natural fibers, and related fabric and fabric items.

The term “thermal transfer” as used herein indicates a type of fast printing process identifiable by a skilled person, which has the advantages of short process, bright color, high fastness, and no need to wash with water. Currently, since the physical and chemical properties of the synthetic fiber and the natural fiber are quite different, the use of which are usually only suitable for printing on either synthetic fibers or natural fibers can impact the quality of the work product. If the dye suitable for synthetic fibers is directly applied to a blended fabric containing synthetic fibers and natural fibers (for example, a polyester-cotton blended fabric and a polyester-viscose blended fabric), related thermal transfer on a blended fabric can result in difficult coloring and uneven coloring, as well as gray and dull color of the printed fabric, incomplete transfer pattern and additional quality issues identifiable by a skilled person.

The term “blended fabric” as used herein indicates a fabric that a fabric from yarns which have been made by blending two or more fibers together before they are spun into yarn. In yarn spinning, different compositions, lengths, diameters, or colors may be combined to create a blend. Blended textiles are fabrics or yarns produced with a combination of two or more types of different fibers, or yarns to obtain desired traits and aesthetics. [1]

The term “fabric” or “textile” as used herein indicates various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, and additional fiber-based material identifiable by an ordinary skilled person in the art. Fabrics in the sense of the disclosure comprise consumer textiles such as clothing, where the primary purpose of the fabric is comfort and/or style. Fabrics in the sense of the disclosure also comprise technical textiles such as geotextile, industrial textile, medical textiles where functionality is the primary purpose of the fabric. Exemplary fabrics comprise woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics and additional fabrics identifiable by an ordinary skilled person in the art. Fabrics in the sense of the disclosure comprise natural fabric and synthetic fibers or mixtures thereof [1] [2]

The term “fiber” or “fiber material” as used herein indicates a natural or artificial substance that is significantly longer than it is wide. Fibers are often used in the manufacture of other materials. Synthetic fibers can often be produced very cheaply and in large amounts compared to natural fibers, but for clothing natural fibers can give some benefits, such as comfort, over their synthetic counterparts. [3]

Fiber material can take various forms, typically the form of a yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. Additional fabric materials comprise threads and embroidery threads, as well as additional material which can in some instances be finished with wax or other lubricants to withstand the stresses involved in sewing. [4]

Exemplary fiber material comprises cotton, rayon, wool, and silk and additional fiber materials identifiable by a skilled person.

The term “natural fiber” as used herein indicated fibers that are produced by geological processes, or from the bodies of plants or animals. Natural fibers comprise plant fibers and animal fibers depending on the source of the fiber. Exemplary plant fibers comprises seed fibers collected from the seeds of various plants (e.g. cotton.), fruit fibers collected from the fruit of the plant, (e.g., coconut fiber) and stalk fiber from the stalks of plants, (e.g. straws of wheat, rice, barley, bamboo and straw. Exemplary animal fibers comprise animal hair (wool or hairs): taken from animals or hairy mammals, e.g. sheep's wool, goat hair (cashmere, mohair), alpaca hair, horse hair, etc. and Silk fiber: Fiber secreted by glands (often located near the mouth) of insects during the preparation of cocoons. [5]

The term “synthetic fiber” as used herein indicates fibers made by humans through chemical synthesis, as opposed to natural fibers that are directly derived from living organisms. Exemplary synthetic fibers include: Nylon Modacrylic Olefin Acrylic Polyester, as well as Rayon (1894) artificial silk, Spandex, Vinalon, Aramids and additional synthetic fibers identifiable by a skilled person. [6]

In thermal transfer method in the sense of the disclosure a blended fabric is contacted with a pretreatment liquid comprising an epoxy resin containing a benzene ring and a hydroxyl group, the pretreatment liquid further comprising a polyamine possible within a solvent.

The term “epoxy resin” as used herein indicates a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers which contain epoxide groups. The epoxide functional group is also collectively called epoxy. The IUPAC name for an epoxide group is an oxirane. Epoxy resins may be reacted (cross-linked) either with themselves through catalytic homopolymerisation, or with a wide range of co-reactants including polyfunctional amines, acids (and acid anhydrides), phenols, alcohols and thiols (usually called mercaptans). These co-reactants are often referred to as hardeners or curatives, and the cross-linking reaction is commonly referred to as curing. [7]

In some exemplary embodiments, the epoxy resin can be bisphenol A type epoxy resin, bisphenol F type epoxy resin emulsion.

The term “polyamine” as used herein indicates an organic compound having more than two amino groups. Alkyl polyamines occur naturally, but some are synthetic. Alkylpolyamines are colorless, hygroscopic, and water soluble. Near neutral pH, they exist as the ammonium derivatives. Most aromatic polyamines are crystalline solids at room temperature. [8]In some exemplary embodiments, the polyamine can be polyetheramine, 1,6-hexanediamine).

The term “solvent” as used herein indicates a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. Selection of the proper solvent for a solution can be performed based on the components of the solution as will be understood. [9]In thermal transfer method in the sense of the disclosure a treated blended fabric is then contacted with an ink or dye.

The term “ink” as used herein indicates a gel, sol, or solution that contains at least one colorant, such as a dye or pigment, and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink formulas vary, but commonly involve two components, Colorants and Vehicles. Suitable colorants comprise pigments and dye. The vehicles usually comprise binders. Inks in the sense of the disclosure can be in an aqueous liquid paste and/or powder form depending on the colorant and vehicle used as will be understood by a person with ordinary skills in the art. [10]

The term “dye” as used herein indicates a colored substance that chemically bonds to the substrate to which it is being applied. This property distinguishes dyes from pigments which do not chemically bind to the material they color. A dye in the sense of the disclosure is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and may require a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber. Dyes are usually soluble in water whereas pigments are insoluble. Some dyes can be rendered insoluble with the addition of salt to produce a fake pigment as will be understood by a person with ordinary skills. [11]

In some embodiments, the thermal transfer method and related system, fabric and items of present disclosure provides a thermal transfer method suitable for blended fabrics, specifically including firstly, the pretreatment liquid is contacted with the blended fabric containing synthetic fibers and natural fibers so that the pretreatment liquid is absorbed onto the blended fabric e.g., by padding, thus providing a pre-treated blended fabric.

In some embodiments, in the thermal transfer method and related system, fabric and items of, the amino and hydroxyl groups adsorbed in the pretreatment liquid of the pre-treated blended fabric will conduct cross-linking reaction with epoxy groups under the drying conditions of higher temperature; at the same time, the hydroxyl groups on the fiber of the blended fabric will also react with epoxy groups, so that hydrophobic groups such as benzene ring, methylene, and ether bonds can be introduced into the surface of the blended fabric in the form of covalent bonds (dye sites are formed which are conducive to the adsorption of dyes).

In addition, it is beneficial for the blended fabric to obtain a complete pattern, bright color, uniform coloring, good color fastness, washing resistance, soft fabric and good skin feeling in the thermal transfer process.

A thermal transfer method according to the present disclosure comprises contacting a blended fabric with a pretreatment liquid, before thermally transferring an ink or dye to the blended fabric from a thermal transfer paper previously printed with an ink or a dye, as will be understood by a skilled person upon reading of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise mixing an epoxy resin and polyamine with a solvent, to prepare the pretreatment liquid before contacting. In some embodiments the method can further comprise weighing the epoxy resin and/or the polyamine, and/or determine the proper amount of solvent, before the mixing. In some embodiments the epoxy resin, polyamine and/or the solvent are previously prepared in suitable dosages.

In some embodiments, the method can further comprise printing a pattern on the thermal transfer paper before contacting a treated blended fabric with the thermal transfer paper. In those embodiments, the contacting of the thermal transfer paper is performed to transfer the pattern from the thermal transfer paper to the treated blended fabric.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   a) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper, to         obtain the thermal transfer paper having the pattern;     -   b) dispersing epoxy resin and polyamine with a solvent, to         prepare a pretreatment liquid;     -   c) immersing a blended fabric in the pretreatment liquid, then         being subject to pressing and drying, so as to obtain a treated         blended fabric;     -   d) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step a) to the treated blended fabric in step c) to obtain a         thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric,         and then performing a thermal pressure treatment of the thermal         transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric, to obtain         a thermally transferred blended fabric.

Preferably, the ink used for printing in step a) is one of a thermal transfer dispersion ink purchased from Zhejiang Lanyu Digital Technology Co., Ltd., a thermal transfer dispersion ink purchased from Zhuhai Tianwei New Materials Co., Ltd., and a thermal transfer dispersion ink purchased from Shenzhen Moku Graphic Technology Co., Ltd.

Preferably, the thermal transfer paper in step a) is the thermal transfer paper purchased from Zhejiang Xianhe Special Paper Co., Ltd., with a gram weight of 30 g/m².

Preferably, the epoxy resin in step b) is at least one of bisphenol A type epoxy resin and bisphenol F type epoxy resin.

More preferably, the epoxy resin in step b) is at least one of bisphenol A type epoxy resin emulsion and bisphenol F type epoxy resin emulsion.

Still more preferably, the epoxy resin in step b) is at least one of 3510-W-60A purchased from Hexion in the United States and YUKARESIN EF-280 purchased from Yoshimura Oil Chemical in Japan.

Preferably, the polyamine in step b) is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,8-octanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,3-propanediamine and ethylenediamine.

More preferably, the polyamine in step b) is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,8-octanediamine and 1,4-butanediamine.

Much more preferably, the polyamine in step b) is at least one of polyetheramine and 1,6-hexanediamine.

Preferably, the solvent in step b) is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, ethylene glycol and glycerin.

More preferably, the solvent in step b) is water.

Preferably, a mass ratio of the epoxy resin and the polyamine in step 2) is 1:1 to 5:1.

More preferably, the mass ratio of the epoxy resin and the polyamine in step 2) is 1.5:1 to 4:1.

Preferably, a mass ratio of the polyamine and the solvent in step b) is 1:1 to 1:10.

More preferably, the mass ratio of the polyamine and the solvent in step b) is 1:2 to 1:6.

Preferably, the blended fabric in step c) is made by blending a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber.

Preferably, the blended fabric in step c) is a polyester-viscose blended fabric or a polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Preferably, the polyester-viscose blended fabric is selected from one of blended fabric specifications T/C 65/35, T/C 55/45, T/C 50/50, and T/C 20/80.

More preferably, the polyester-viscose blended fabric is selected from one of blended fabric specifications T/C 65/35 and T/C 50/50.

Preferably, the polyester-cotton blended fabric is selected from one of blended fabric specifications T/R 65/35, T/R 55/45, T/R 50/50, and T/R 20/80.

More preferably, the polyester-cotton blended fabric is selected from one of blended fabric specifications T/R 65/35 and T/R 50/50.

Specifically, the polyester-viscose blended fabric is made by blending polyester fibers and viscose fibers (processed from natural fibers), and the polyester-cotton blended fabric is made by blending polyester fibers and cotton fibers.

Preferably, a time of the immersing in step c) is 1 min to 10 mins.

Preferably, a pressure of the pressing in step c) is 0.2 MPa to 0.8 MPa.

Preferably, a temperature of the drying in step 3) is 140° C. to 200° C.

More preferably, the temperature of the drying in step c) is 170° C. to 190° C.

Preferably, a time of the drying in step c) is 1 min to 10 mins.

More preferably, the time of the drying in step c) is 2 mins to 6 mins. In some embodiments, 6. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the drying in step c) ranges from 140° C. to 200° C., and a time of the drying in step 3) is 1 min to 10 mins.

Preferably, step c) further comprises the steps of baking, and washing with hot water.

Preferably, a temperature of the baking is 50° C. to 80° C., and a temperature of the hot water is 60° C. to 100° C.

Accordingly, in some embodiments step c) further comprises baking, and washing the blended fabric with hot water; a temperature of the baking is 50° C. to 80° C., and a temperature of the hot water ranges from 60° C. to 100° C.

Preferably, the thermal pressure treatment in step d) is specifically performed by using a hot-pressing plate or a hot roller.

Specifically, the thermal pressure treatment can be performed by using a hot-pressing plate or a hot roller, so that the dye of the thermal transfer paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Preferably, a temperature of the thermal pressure treatment is 200° C. to 230° C.

Preferably, a time of the thermal pressure treatment is 10 s to 30 s.

More preferably, the time of the thermal pressure treatment is 15 s to 25 s.

Methods of the present disclosure can be performed by combinations of at least one pretreatment liquid and/or components therefore, with one or more thermal transfer paper, ink, dye, and a blended fabric as will be understood by a skilled person.

In particular a thermal transfer system of the present disclosure comprise at least one pretreatment liquid herein described in combination with one of one or more inks, one of one or more dyes, one or more thermal transfer papers to be printed and/or pre-printed, and one or more blended fabrics. In the thermal transfer system of the present disclosure the components of the system are comprised in combination, for use in performing thermal transfer of the ink or dye to the blended fabric in accordance with anyone of the methods of the disclosure, as will be understood by a skilled person.

In some embodiments, the thermal transfer system of the present disclosure, can comprise in addition or in the alternative to the pretreatment liquid, an epoxy resin, a polyamine and a suitable solvent, optionally in pre-dosed composition, as will be understood by a skilled person upon reading of the present disclosure.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a blended fabric prepared by the thermal transfer method and/or system for blended fabrics according to any one of the embodiments herein described.

In an additional aspect, a fabric item of the present disclosure comprises a blended fabric of obtained with the method and/or system of the disclosure. The wording “fabric item” in the sense of the disclosure indicates an object that comprises fabric, such as drapes, towels, tablecloth, kitchen cloth, blankets and garments for humans or pets as well as pillows and further objects comprising fabric identifiable by a skilled person.

In particular, in preferred embodiments the fabric item can be a clothing item such as the exemplary garments schematically illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A shows a shirt with a thermal transferred decorative pattern and FIG. 10B shows shorts with a thermal transferred repeating pattern design.

The beneficial effects of the present disclosure include: the thermal transfer method according to disclosure is not only suitable for fabrics made by blending a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber, but also has the characteristics of a simple method, low cost, readily available raw materials of pretreatment liquid, and suitability for large-scale production. Meanwhile, the thermal transfer method according to the present disclosure can also prepare the blended fabric with complete pattern, bright color, uniform coloring, good color fastness, washing resistance, soft fabric and good skin feeling.

Further guidance concerning embodiments and features of the methods and systems of the present disclosure as well as related blended fabric and fabric will be apparent in view of the following exemplary embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The contents methods and systems of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below through specific examples which are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

In particular, the following examples illustrate exemplary thermal transfer methods of the disclosure and related systems, as well as related blended fabric. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the applicability and the necessary modifications to adapt the features described in detail in the present section, to additional methods, systems fabrics as well as related items and in particular clothing items according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Example 1: Exemplary Thermal Transfer Method

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) weighing 30 g epoxy resin emulsion 3510-W-60A (Manufacturer:         Hexion, USA), 10 g polyetheramine ED-2003 (Manufacturer:         Huntsman, USA), 60 g water, stirring and mixing to obtain a         pretreatment liquid;     -   3) placing a polyester-cotton blended fabric (the blended fabric         specification: T/C 65/35) into the pretreatment liquid of step         2), and then being subject to the treatment of one immersing and         one pressing, baking at 60° C., drying at 180° C. for 3 mins,         washing with hot water twice, baking at 60° C. once again, so as         to obtain a treated polyester-cotton blended fabric;     -   4) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric in step         3), and then thermally transferring at a temperature of 220° C.         and a time of 20 s (seconds), so as to obtain a thermally         transferred blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Example 2: Exemplary Thermal Transfer Method

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) weighing 40 g epoxy resin emulsion 3510-W-60A (Manufacturer:         Hexion, USA), 20 g polyetheramine ED-900 (Manufacturer:         Huntsman, USA), 40 g water, stirring and mixing to obtain a         pretreatment liquid;     -   3) placing a polyester-cotton blended fabric (the blended fabric         specification: T/C 65/35) into the pretreatment liquid of step         2), and then being subject to the treatment of one immersing and         one pressing, baking at 60° C., drying at 180° C. for 3 mins,         washing with hot water twice, baking at 60° C. once again, so as         to obtain a treated polyester-cotton blended fabric;     -   4) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric in step         3), and then thermally transferring at a temperature of 220° C.         and a time of 20 s, so as to obtain a thermally transferred         blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Example 3: Exemplary Thermal Transfer Method and System

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) weighing 40 g epoxy resin emulsion YUKARESIN EF-280         (Manufacturer: Yoshimura Oil Chemical, Japan), 15 g         polyetheramine D-600 (Manufacturer: Huntsman, USA), 45 g water,         stirring and mixing to obtain a pretreatment liquid;     -   3) placing a polyester-cotton blended fabric (the blended fabric         specification: T/C 50/50) into the pretreatment liquid of step         2), and then being subject to the treatment of one immersing and         one pressing, baking at 60° C., drying at 180° C. for 3 mins,         washing with hot water twice, baking at 60° C. once again, so as         to obtain a treated polyester-cotton blended fabric;     -   4) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric in step         3), and then thermally transferring at a temperature of 220° C.         and a time of 20 s, so as to obtain a thermally transferred         blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Example 4: Exemplary Thermal Transfer Method

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) weighing 35 g epoxy resin emulsion 3510-W-60A (Manufacturer:         Hexion, USA), 10 g polyetheramine D-230 (Manufacturer: Huntsman,         USA), 55 g water, stirring and mixing to obtain a pretreatment         liquid;     -   3) placing a polyester-viscose blended fabric (the blended         fabric specification: T/R 65/35) into the pretreatment liquid of         step 2), and then being subject to the treatment of one         immersing and one pressing, baking at 60° C., drying at 180° C.         for 3 mins, washing with hot water twice, baking at 60° C. once         again, so as to obtain a treated polyester-viscose blended         fabric;     -   4) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the treated polyester-viscose blended fabric in step         3), and then thermally transferring at a temperature of 220° C.         and a time of 20 s, so as to obtain a thermally transferred         blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-viscose blended fabric.

Example 5: Exemplary Thermal Transfer Method

A thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) weighing 40 g epoxy resin emulsion 3510-W-60A (Manufacturer:         Hexion, USA), 10 g 1,6-hexanediamine (Shanghai Macklin         Biochemical Co., Ltd.), 50 g water, stirring and mixing to         obtain a pretreatment liquid;     -   3) placing a polyester-viscose blended fabric (the blended         fabric specification: T/R 50/50) into the pretreatment liquid of         step 2), and then being subject to the treatment of one         immersing and one pressing, baking at 60° C., drying at 180° C.         for 3 mins, washing with hot water twice, baking at 60° C. once         again, so as to obtain a treated polyester-viscose blended         fabric;     -   4) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the treated polyester-viscose blended fabric in step         3), and then thermally transferring at a temperature of 220° C.         and a time of 20 s, so as to obtain a thermally transferred         blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-viscose blended fabric.

Example 6: First Comparative Example

This comparative example provides a thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, this method differs from Example 1 and Example 2 in that it does not include the step of treating the blended fabric with the pretreatment liquid. This method specifically includes the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the polyester-cotton blended fabric (the blended         fabric specification: T/C 65/35), and then thermally         transferring at a temperature of 220° C. and a time of 20 s, so         as to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Example 7: Second Comparative Example

This comparative example provides a thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, this method differs from Example 3 in that it does not include the step of treating the blended fabric with the pretreatment liquid. This method specifically includes the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the polyester-cotton blended fabric (the blended         fabric specification: T/C 50/50), and then thermally         transferring at a temperature of 220° C. and a time of 20 s, so         as to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-cotton blended fabric.

Example 8: Third Comparative Example

This comparative example provides a thermal transfer method for blended fabrics, this method differs from Example 5 in that it does not include the step of treating the blended fabric with the pretreatment liquid. This method specifically includes the following steps:

-   -   1) printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with         a digital printer, so as to obtain the thermal transfer paper         having the pattern;     -   2) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern in         step 1) to the polyester-viscose blended fabric (the blended         fabric specification: T/R 50/50), and then thermally         transferring at a temperature of 220° C. and a time of 20 s, so         as to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric;         wherein, the thermally transferring is performed by using a         hot-pressing plate, so that the dye of the thermal transfer         paper having the pattern is sublimated onto the treated         polyester-viscose blended fabric.

It should be noted that some patterns in the First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) are different from those in Examples 1-5, but the clarity and color depth of the original images used in the Comparative Examples are similar to those in the Examples, and the printing ink and the thermal transfer paper used are the same as those in the Examples, so they do not affect the transfer effect of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in the First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) and Examples 1-5. Thus, it can be known that the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in the first, second and third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) and Examples 1-5 are comparable. Moreover, the thermal transfer paper and the ink for digital printing used in Examples 1-5 and the First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) are all commercially available products. Specifically, the thermal transfer paper is the thermal transfer paper purchased from Zhejiang Xianhe Special Paper Co., Ltd., with a gram weight of 30 g/m²; and the ink for digital printing is the thermal transfer dispersion ink purchased from Zhejiang Lanyu Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

It should also be noted that, T/C 65/35 represents that the fabric contains 65% polyester and 35% cotton fiber; T/C 50/50 represents that the fabric contains 50% polyester and 50% cotton fiber; T/R 65/35 represents that the fabric contains 65% polyester and 35% viscose; and T/R 50/50 represents that the fabric contains 50% polyester and 50% viscose.

The treatment of one immersing and one pressing in step 3) in Examples 1-5 refers to a treatment process of one immersion in the pretreatment liquid and a treatment process of one roll-pressing, wherein, the immersing treatment time is 1 min to 10 mins, and the pressing pressure is 0.2 MPa to 0.8 Mpa; the hot water which is used for washing in step 3) has a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C.

Meanwhile, the manufacturers' names and brands of various reagents in Examples 1-5 cannot be used as the basis for limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

Example 9: Performance Test

The performance comparison diagram of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in Examples 1-5 and the First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6-8) is shown in FIG. 9 .

The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 1 . The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 2 is shown in FIG. 2 . The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Comparative Example 1 is shown in FIG. 6 .

It can be seen from FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 that: by comparing Example 1, Example 2 and the First Comparative Example (Example 6), it can be found that the color of the cotton-polyester blended fabric after thermal transfer in the first Comparative Example (Example 6) is relatively dull, the overall fabric is gray, and there is uneven coloring, since the First Comparative Example (Example 6) is not treated with the pretreatment liquid of the present invention. In contrast, in Example 1 and Example 2, the pretreatment liquid containing epoxy resin emulsion and polyetheramine was used to treat the cotton-polyester blended fabric. The epoxy resin in the epoxy resin emulsion contains aryl groups (specifically, benzene ring), and the polyetheramine contains amino groups, so that the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric has aryl groups and amino groups, which can effectively absorb the dyes (or printing inks) on the thermal transfer paper having the pattern and ensure that the polyester-cotton blended fabric after thermal transfer has better softness, thereby obtaining the polyester-cotton blended fabric with bright color, uniform coloring, complete pattern, nice softness and good skin feeling.

The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 3 is shown in FIG. 3 . The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Comparative Example 2 is shown in FIG. 7 .

It can be seen from FIG. 3 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 that: by comparing Example 3 and the Second Comparative Example (Example 7), it can be found that the color of the cotton-polyester blended fabric after thermal transfer in the Second Comparative Example (Example 7) is relatively dull, the overall fabric is gray, and there is uneven coloring, since the Second Comparative Example (Example 7) is not treated with the pretreatment liquid of the present invention. In contrast, in Example 3, since the pretreatment liquid was used to treat the polyester-cotton blended fabric, likewise, the treated polyester-cotton blended fabric has benzene rings and amino groups on its surface, so that the polyester-cotton blended fabric with bright color, uniform coloring, complete pattern, nice softness and good skin feeling can also be obtained.

The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 4 is shown in FIG. 4 . The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in Example 5 is shown in FIG. 5 . The physical view of the blended fabric after thermal transfer in the Third Comparative Example (Example 8) is shown in FIG. 8 .

It can be seen from FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 that: by comparing Example 5 and the Third Comparative Example (Example 8), it can be found that the color of the polyester-viscose blended fabric after thermal transfer in the Third Comparative Example (Example 8) is relatively dull, the overall fabric is gray, and there is uneven coloring, since the Third Comparative Example (Example 8) is not treated with the pretreatment liquid of the present invention. In contrast, in Example 5, since the pretreatment liquid containing epoxy resin (with benzene ring) and hexanediamine (with amino group) was used to treat the polyester-viscose blended fabric, likewise, the treated polyester-viscose blended fabric has benzene rings and amino groups on its surface, so that the polyester-viscose blended fabric with bright color, uniform coloring, complete pattern, nice softness and good skin feeling can also be obtained.

It can be seen from the above analysis that: after thermal transfer, the polyester-viscose blended fabric or the polyester-cotton blended fabric treated with the pretreatment liquid can obtain a blended fabric with bright color, uniform coloring, complete pattern, nice softness and good skin feeling, so that the problem that the existing thermal transfer printing ink (or dye) is not suitable for fabrics blended with synthetic fibers and natural fibers is well solved.

The color fastness test of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in Examples 1-5 and First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) is formulated with reference to “GB/T 3920: 2008: Textiles—Tests for color fastness—Color fastness to rubbing” standard. Specifically, the color fastness in Examples and Comparative Examples is further determined by the following steps: utilizing different kinds of white fabrics to rub against samples to be tested, and observing the staining of different kinds of fabrics, so as to determine the color fastness of colored fabrics; wherein, the color fastness to rubbing increases sequentially from 1 to 5, where 1 represents the worst color fastness to rubbing, while 5 represents the best color fastness to rubbing.

In this case, the washing resistance and staining condition refers to the staining condition of white fabrics of different materials when the fabric to be tested undergoes the washing-resistance test, wherein higher number value represents less color of the test fabric that the white fabric touches, and the color fastness (a total of 1 to 5 grades) is higher. It is noted that self-staining refers to the result of using a white fabric of the same material as a sample to be tested to rub against the sample to be tested for testing; cotton-staining refers to the result of using a white fabric of pure cotton to rub against the sample to be tested for testing; nylon-staining refers to the result of using a white fabric of nylon to rub against the sample to be tested for testing; polyester-staining refers to the result of using a white fabric of polyester to rub against the sample to be tested for testing; and acrylic fiber-staining refers to the result of using a white fabric of acrylic fiber to rub against the sample to be tested for testing.

Similarly, the results of the washing resistance test are also classified into 1 to 5 grades. The washing resistance of the fabric increases sequentially from grade 1 to 5, where 1 represents the worst washing resistance, while 5 represents the best washing resistance. Furthermore, the washing resistance test is implemented in accordance with “GB/T 3921-2008 Textiles—Tests for color fastness—Color fastness to washing with soap or soap and soda” standard. The test results of the color fastness and the washing resistance of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in Examples 1-5 and First, Second and Third Comparative Examples (Examples 6 to 8) are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Test results of the color fastness and the washing resistance of the blended fabrics after thermal transfer in Examples and Comparative Examples Example Example Example Example Example Test items 1 2 3 4 5 Comparative Comparative Comparative Specification of the fabric T/C T/C T/C T/R T/R T/C T/C T/R to be tested 65/35 65/35 50/50 65/35 50/50 65/35 50/50 50/50 Grade of the Dry 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 color fastness to rubbing rubbing Wet 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 rubbing Washing Self- 3-4 4 3-4 3-4 4 2-3 2-3 2-3 resistance staining Color fastness Cotton- 3-4 4 3-4 3-4 4 3-4 3-4 3-4 condition staining Nylon- 3-4 4 3-4 3-4 4 3-4 3-4 3-4 staining Polyester- 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 staining Acrylic 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 fiber- staining Washing resistance- 3-4 4 4 4 4 2-3 2-3 2-3 discoloration fastness grade Note: the higher the value in Table 1 is, the better the color fastness of the blended fabric after thermal transfer gets.

It can be seen from Table 1 and FIG. 9 that the cotton-polyester blended fabric or the polyester-viscose blended fabric treated with the pretreatment liquid can be a printed fabric with bright color, complete pattern, high color fastness and washing resistance by simple thermal transfer processing. However, the blended fabric which is not treated with the pretreatment liquid has problems such as poor color fastness, dull and gray fabric color, and poor washing resistance.

In summary, described herein a thermal transfer method for blended fabrics and related systems, blended fabric and items comprising the blended fabric. The thermal transfer method comprises: printing a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper with a digital printer to obtain the thermal transfer paper having the pattern; mixing one or more epoxy resins, with one or more polyamine and solvent to prepare a pretreatment liquid; immersing a blended fabric in the pretreatment liquid, then being subject to pressing and drying to obtain a treated blended fabric; attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric, and then performing a thermal pressure treatment of the thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric. The thermal transfer method is simple, involves low cost, readily available raw materials of pretreatment liquid, and suitability for large-scale production. The prepared blended fabric can have complete pattern, bright color, uniform coloring, good color fastness, washing resistance, soft fabric and good skin feeling.

The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the above embodiments. Any other changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications that do not deviate from the spirit and principle of the present invention should be regarded as equivalent alternatives and are included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, the examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the reactive digital printing method of the disclosure, and related materials, compositions, and systems, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their disclosure. Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the disclosure that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

The entire disclosure of each document cited (including patents, patent applications, journal articles, abstracts, laboratory manuals, books, or other disclosures) in the Background, Summary, Detailed Description, and Examples is hereby incorporated herein by reference. All references cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

It is to be understood that the disclosures are not limited to particular compositions materials, or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure is not limited to specific reactants, substituents, catalysts, reaction conditions, or the like, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a polymer” includes a single polymer as well as a combination or mixture of two or more polymers, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the terms “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided only as an aid for understanding the applications illustrated in the present disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion.

Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing of the specific examples, additional appropriate materials and methods are described herein.

A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

REFERENCES

ADDIN EN.REFLIST 1. Wikipedia-textile. Textile. 2022; Available from: /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile.

-   2. Wikipedia-textile-printing. Textile printing. 2022; Available     from: /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile_printing. -   3. Wikipedia, F. Fiber. 2023; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber. -   4. Wikipedia, Y, Yarn. 2023. -   5. Fiber, W.-N. 2023; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_fiber. -   6. fiber, W.-s., 2023. -   7. Wiki-Epoxy. 2023; Available from: /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy. -   8. Wiki-polyamine. 2023; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamine. -   9. Wiki-Solvent. 2023; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solvent. -   10. Wikipedia-ink. Ink. 2022; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ink. -   11. Wikipedia-dye. Dye. 2022; Available from:     /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye. 

1. A thermal transfer method for blended fabric, the method comprising treating to obtain at treated blended fabric, the treating comprising contacting the blended fabric with a pretreatment liquid comprising an epoxy resin a polyamine and a solvent, performing thermal transfer of a dye to the treated blended fabric.
 2. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, wherein treating further comprises pressing and drying the blended fabric following the contacting.
 3. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, further comprising before the contacting preparing the pretreatment liquid by dispersing epoxy resin and polyamine with a solvent.
 4. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, wherein performing thermal transfer of the dye to the treated blended fabric comprises providing a thermal transfer paper having a pattern formed by the dye attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric, and performing a thermal pressure treatment of the thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric.
 5. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 4, wherein the providing is performed by printing the day on a thermal transfer paper to form a pattern on the thermal transfer paper, thus obtaining the thermal transfer paper having the pattern.
 6. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, further comprising providing the blended fabric by blending a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber.
 7. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 1, comprising: a) printing the day to form a designed pattern on a thermal transfer paper to obtain the thermal transfer paper having the pattern; b) dispersing epoxy resin and polyamine with a solvent to prepare a pretreatment liquid; c) immersing a blended fabric in the pretreatment liquid, pressing and drying the blended fabric following the immersing, to obtain a treated blended fabric; d) attaching the thermal transfer paper having the pattern of step a) to the treated blended fabric in step c) to obtain a thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric, and then performing a thermal pressure treatment of the thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric to obtain a thermally transferred blended fabric.
 8. The thermal transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the epoxy resin comprises bisphenol A type epoxy resin and/or bisphenol F type epoxy resin.
 9. The thermal transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the polyamine is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,8-octanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,3-propanediamine and ethylenediamine.
 10. The thermal transfer method s according to claim 1, wherein a mass ratio of the epoxy resin and the polyamine in step b) ranges from 1:1 to 5:1.
 11. The thermal transfer method s according to claim 1, wherein the blended fabric comprises or consists of a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber.
 12. The thermal transfer method according to claim 2, wherein a temperature of the drying ranges from 140° C. to 200° C., and a time of the drying is ranges from 1 min to 10 mins.
 13. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 2, wherein the treating further comprises, following the drying baking, and washing the blended fabric with hot water; a temperature of the baking is 50° C. to 80° C., and a temperature of the hot water ranges from 60° C. to 100° C.
 14. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 4, wherein the thermal pressure treatment is performed by contacting a hot-pressing plate or a hot roller with the thermal transfer paper attached to the treated blended fabric.
 15. The thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim 14, wherein a temperature of the thermal pressure treatment ranges from 200° C. to 230° C., and a time of the thermal pressure treatment ranges from 10 s to 30 s.
 16. A thermal transfer system comprising at least one pretreatment liquid in combination with at least one of a dye, a thermal transfer paper, and a blended fabric, wherein the at least one pretreatment liquid comprises an epoxy resin a polyamine and a solvent.
 17. A blended fabric prepared by the thermal transfer method for blended fabrics according to claim
 1. 18. A fabric item comprising the blended fabric of claim
 17. 